Seat for amusement apparatus

ABSTRACT

A seat for amusement apparatus, unusually suitable for allowing the user to adopt a new position on the apparatus, comprising a support and means for immobilising the user on the support. The immobilising means comprise at least one support in front of the user and opposing means suitable for acting on the user&#39;s back. The opposing means comprises an arm which can move between a lowered position in which the user can sit down on the support and a raised position in which one end of the arm abuts against the user&#39;s back.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/726,830 filed on Dec. 3, 2003, which claims priority to ItalianApplication No. MI2003A001166 filed on Jun. 10, 2003, each of which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a seat for amusement apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In amusement apparatus the user or passenger is generally seated on asuitable seat. For reasons of safety the seat is often provided withmeans for immobilising the user on the support of the seat in such a waythat the user is firmly held in his seat despite the movements performedby the amusement apparatus.

A seat for amusement apparatus comprising a fixed back and a fork hingedon the back above the user is for example known. The fork descends andimmobilises the user's shoulders and chest against the fixed back.

A seat having this configuration immobilises the user on the support ofthe seat, ensuring his safety, but does not allow the spectator to makemovements of any kind, thus for example diminishing the ride sensationprovided by the amusement apparatus, or one of the sensations which itis attempted to generate in order to render the amusement apparatusexciting.

The need to construct amusement apparatus which can generate newsensations for users has always been felt within the sector. Thisrequirement may for example be satisfied through the design of new seatswhich allow the user to adopt new positions and attitudes with respectto the apparatus.

The problem underlying this invention is that of providing a seat foramusement apparatus which has structural and functional characteristicssuch as to distinguish it from the known art and to allow the user toadopt new positions on the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This problem is resolved through a seat for amusement apparatus of thetype specified above according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention willbecome clear from the following detailed description which is given withreference to the appended drawings which are provided purely by way ofnon-limiting example and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the seat according to thisinvention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the seat in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of the seat in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the seat in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the seat in FIG. 1 illustrating theposition of the user, whether a child or an adult,

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the seat in FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the seat in FIG. 1 from above in which somecomponents are in cross-section along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a detail in FIG. 7 in cross-section alongthe line VIII-VIII,

FIG. 9 illustrates a view of a detail in FIG. 7 in cross-section alongthe line IX-IX,

FIG. 10 illustrates a view of a detail in FIG. 7 in cross-section alongthe line X-X,

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of amusement apparatus comprising a seataccording to this invention,

FIG. 12 illustrates a view of the amusement apparatus in FIG. 11 fromabove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the abovementioned figures, a seat for amusementapparatus is indicated as a whole by 10.

As the appended figures illustrate, seat 10 is advantageouslyconstructed in such a way that the passenger or user sits astride thesame, adopting a posture similar to that adopted by motorcyclists.

In addition to this the structure of the seat is such as to leave thepassenger's shoulders free, securing him in the vicinity of the chest orabdomen.

According to a possible embodiment seat 10 comprises a support 12supported by a frame 14. For example support 12 is in the shape of asaddle or motor vehicle seat so as to receive the passenger sittingastride the same.

According to a possible embodiment frame 14 is for example constructedof a set of tubular members, although other embodiments such as compactand boxed structures are possible.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of frame 14 in which frontal supportingmember 16 is fixed to a floor 18. Frontal supporting member 16 extendsfrom floor 18 preferably in a direction which is inclined at an angle of.alpha. with respect to the floor.

The extremity of the frontal supporting member opposite floor 18 ends ina portion 16 a which is preferably inclined at an angle .beta. withrespect to the frontal supporting member. Portion 16 a is suitable forsupporting a cushion to support the passenger, which is for examplemanufactured from polyurethane.

Two lateral supporting members 20 extend from frontal supporting member16 and floor 18. Further supporting members 22 extend in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to floor 18 and constitute a support forsupporting members 24 for support 12.

A cover or casing 26 completely encloses frame 14 of seat 10.

28 indicates means for immobilising the user on support 12 of the seat.These immobilising means advantageously comprise at least one support 30mounted at the end of frontal supporting member 16 in the vicinity ofportion 16 a. Support 30 is located frontally with respect to the userand according to a possible embodiment has a shape such as to wrap roundthe passenger both at the front and at the side. For example support 30comprises a central portion 30 a which may comprise a supporting memberfor a frontal portion of the user, for example the chest in the case ofchildren or the abdomen in the case of adults. Advantageously two sideportions 30 b, which are preferably arched, are also provided and extendfrom central portion 30 a and have a configuration such as to surroundthe passenger laterally.

Immobilising means 28 advantageously also comprise opposing means 32suitable for acting against the user's back. According to a possibleembodiment the opposing means can move between an open position and aclosed position in which it abuts against the user's back. FIG. 5illustrates three positions of the opposing means corresponding to theopen position (lowered position illustrated by a dashed line), theclosed position (raised position illustrated by the unbroken line) and aposition intermediate between the open position and the closed position(illustrated by a dashed line).

According to a possible embodiment, which is for example illustrated inthe figures, opposing means 32 comprises an arm 34 which can movebetween a lowered position in which the user can sit down on the supportof the seat and a raised position in which one end of the arm abutsagainst the user's back (FIG. 5). Preferably arm 34 is suitable forrotating with respect to support 12 and is operatively associated with arotating actuator 36. According to possible embodiments actuator 36 maybe of the pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical type.

According to a possible embodiment one end of arm 34 is keyed onto asplined shaft 38 mounted on frame 14.

A gear 40 is suitable for being caused to rotate by rotating actuator 36and transmit the motion to splined shaft 38 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

According to a possible embodiment arm 34 is operatively associated witha cam 42 and a microswitch 44 preferably through splined shaft 38 (FIG.9) with the function of checking that the opposing means has passedbeyond a particular vertical position so as to ensure that the passengeris held.

According to a possible embodiment cam 42 has a first circular profilewhich extends over approximately three quarters of the total perimeterof the cam and a second circular profile of smaller radius than thefirst circular profile which extends over approximately one quarter ofthe total perimeter of the cam. The two profiles are suitably connected.

According to a possible embodiment microswitch 44 comprises a runner 46which is hinged to a body of the microswitch and is provided at one endwith a small wheel 48 which rotates with respect to the runner and canmove over the profile of cam 42.

According to a possible embodiment arm 34 is operatively associated withmeans for immobilising it in the raised position, for example comprisinga rack 50 hinged on frame 14. In particular the rack is associated witha toothed wheel 52 keyed onto splined shaft 38 to mechanicallyimmobilise the opposing means in the raised position when it has reachedthe position in which it supports the passenger (FIGS. 7 and 10). Rack50 and toothed wheel 52 therefore comprise immobilising means of themechanical type to prevent movement of the opposing means either as aresult of the movements of the amusement apparatus or the thrust of thepassenger against the opposing means, preventing the passenger frombeing thrown out of the seat.

According to a possible embodiment rack 50 is kept in contact with andin mesh with toothed wheel 52, activated for example by a single-actionpneumatic piston. In particular rack 50 is held against toothed wheel 52by resilient means which can be disabled, for example pneumatically,during the return movement of the opposing means.

According to a possible embodiment, one end 54 of arm 34 can wrap partlyround the user's back.

The manner in which the seat for amusement apparatus as described aboveis used is described below.

The user, whether a child or an adult, sits astride support 12substantially as on a motor cycle and rests his chest or abdomen againstsupport 30.

On the command of an operator actuator 36 causes splined shaft 38 andtherefore arm 34 to rotate until the latter abuts against the user'sback. Cam 42 and microswitch 44 constitute a control for the position ofarm 34. In particular the profile of cam 42 moves with respect to smallwheel 48 causing runner 46 to rotate about the hinge point (the dashedand unbroken line in FIG. 9).

Rack 50 meshes with toothed wheel 52 and keeps the arm immobilised inthe raised position thus opposing the movements of the amusementapparatus and the thrust from the passenger, thus preventing thepassenger from leaving the seat.

To release the passenger single-acting piston 53 compresses the springwhich maintains contact between rack 50 and toothed wheel 52 whileactuator 36 causes arm 34 to make its return travel.

A possible embodiment of apparatus provided with seats according to thisinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.100 indicates the apparatusas a whole comprising at least one track 102 on which a platform 104 canmove. Platform 104 is mounted in such a way that it can rotate about anaxis, for example an axis substantially perpendicular to the planedefined by the platform.

At least one set of seats 10 is mounted on a substantially perimetralportion of the platform, preferably in such a way that the user facesoutwards from the platform.

The motion to which the user is subjected is the combination of therotatory motion and the oscillatory motion of the platform. Provisionmay also be made for movement of the seats with respect to the platform.

From what has been stated above it will be appreciated that theprovision of a seat for amusement apparatus according to this inventionmakes it possible to satisfy the requirement for obtaining a differentposition of the user on the apparatus, changing the sensations provokedin the user without the need for any drastic modification in thestructure of the apparatus.

In particular the seat according to this invention leaves the user'sshoulders free and allows him to adopt a position similar to thatadopted by motorcyclists.

It is clear that variants and/or additions may be provided to what hasbeen described and illustrated above.

Regardless of the embodiment, provision is advantageously made for theopposing means to rotate or move laterally with respect to the support.

According to a possible embodiment, the motion of the opposing means,and in particular the arm, can be brought about by means other thanthose described and illustrated. For example arm 34 may have asubstantially circular shape with one toothed side suitable for meshingwith a toothed wheel driven by the actuator.

As an alternative to what is illustrated in the appended figures, thefrontal support may be movably mounted on the seat so that its positioncan be adjusted according to the user's dimensions. In this case acontinuous adjustment or a stepwise adjustment may be provided, ormovement may be permitted to assist access from the side.

According to a possible embodiment the seat may be substantiallyreversed with the provision of a movable frontal support and a fixedrear support. In each case the passenger sits astride the seat with hisshoulders free. The frontal support may rotate or move linearly.

In order to satisfy specific contingent requirements a person skilled inthe art may make many modifications, adaptations and substitutions ofcomponents with other functional equivalents to the preferred embodimentof the seat for amusement apparatus described above without howevergoing beyond the scope of the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An amusement apparatus, comprising: a) a platformconfigured to move on at least one track; and b) at least one seatconnected to the platform, the at least one seat including: i) ridersupport including: (1) a seat portion; and (2) a front portion situationhigher than the seat portion and angled relative to a floor of theplatform such that a rider sitting astride on the seat portion must leanforward into a forward leaning posture for at least one of the rider'sabdominal and thoracic regions to contact the front portion of the ridersupport; and ii) a restraint moveable between a first position notcontacting the rider in the forward leaning posture and a secondposition wherein at least a portion of the restraint contacts at least aback portion of the rider in the forward leaning posture and configuredto maintain the rider in said forward leaning posture.
 22. The seat ofclaim 21, wherein the platform is circular.
 23. The seat of claim 22,wherein the seat is arranged on at least one peripheral portion of theplatform.
 24. The seat of claim 23, wherein the seat is arranged suchthat the rider faces outwardly away from the platform.
 25. The seat ofclaim 21, wherein the platform is configured to rotate relative to thetrack.
 26. An amusement apparatus, comprising: a) a platform configuredto move on at least one track; and b) at least one seat connected to theplatform, the at least one seat including: i) a support configured toreceive a passenger astride the support; and ii) an arrangementconfigured to immobilize a passenger on the support, the arrangementconfigured to maintain shoulders of the passenger free and to secure thepassenger on the support at least one of an abdominal portion of thepassenger and a thoracic portion of the passenger.
 27. An amusementapparatus, comprising: a) a platform configured to move on at least onetrack; and b) at least one seat connected to the platform, the at leastone seat including: i) a support including a seat portion and a frontsupport member, the support configured to receive a passenger astridethe seat portion; and ii) an arrangement configured to immobilize apassenger on the support, the arrangement configured to maintainshoulders of the passenger free and to secure the passenger at leastagainst the front support member at least one of an abdominal portion ofthe passenger and a thoracic portion of the passenger.